Lawmakers reconvene for September session

The North Carolina House of Representatives will re-convene September 12 to 13 in Raleigh to consider several important bills. Among the issues that may come up is another attempt to override the Governor’s veto of the HB351, “Restore Confidence in Government,” popularly known as the Photo ID to Vote bill. In spite of overwhelming public support for this bill, the minority party remains firmly opposed and will not yield to the will of their constituents.
The other hot topic is the “Defense of Marriage Amendment,” oft-referred to as DOMA. Currently it is the law in North Carolina that marriage is between one man and one woman, one at a time. This law has been in effect for many years. It has been regularly reviewed by the legislature and nearly every member of the legislature, on both sides of the aisle has voted to sustain this law, including the former House Speaker, now Minority Leader, Joe Hackeny and former Senator, now Governor Beverly Perdue. The DOMA bill coming before the house simply puts to the voters of North Carolina the option to make this law a part of our constitution, it does not write new law. The reason to put it in the constitution is so that it cannot be overturned by a judge bent on re-writing the law.
Energy, its availability and its cost, are critically important to North Carolinians. There are two pressing issues here. One is the gas tax. North Carolina has the highest gasoline taxes of any Southeastern state and another 4½ cent per gallon will automatically go into effect soon without legislative action. The challenge is that the budget as enacted by this legislature assumes this 4½ cent per gallon increase will take effect. Consequently, if we cap the gas tax at present levels, we must find $300 million plus in additional cuts in our already very pared-down budget. Where do we cut further – roads, maintenance or highway patrol?
The other piece of the energy puzzle is energy resource. North Carolina is sitting on what is estimated to be a huge amount of natural gas hidden deep beneath the earth in shale rock. The current technology to secure this energy resource is known as Hydraulic Fracturing, more commonly “Fracking.” There are solid arguments both for and against “fracking.” The arguments for are based on the jobs that would be created, the cost savings that would be available to consumers and the reduction of dependence on imported energy. Against is the environmental argument. I have read solid evidence of both the efficacy and safety of fracking and I have received a lot of emails and histories of environmental horror stories. Under any circumstances, this is both a critical and contentious issue. The Governor vetoed both Senate Bill 709 and 781 that impact the decision to go forward with fracking or not to go forward. The debate will hinge on the will of the House to override the veto.
The September session could be lively. There are rumors that thousands of protestors will be in Raleigh during this Session on both sides of the many issues. On the other hand, it may all prove moot if the Speaker decides that there are not sufficient votes to override the vetoes and therefore we do not address those bills that hinge on a veto override.
As many of you may know, I have had a very special vacation planned and purchased for this very time. It is both my wedding anniversary and the birthday of a very special friend of ours, the Lady Soames, daughter of Sir Winston Churchill. We have planned this trip for three years and are committed to it. I will follow the debate from afar, but will not be in Raleigh for all the “fun.” I hope that you understand. There is a high probability that most, or even all, of these issues will be held over to our November Session scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving. Stay tuned and please be patient with me.
As always, I ask for your advice and your criticism. Please contact Laurie Payne in our Raleigh office with any concerns, opinions or ideas. Our email is Craig.Horn@ncleg.net or phone 919-733-2406 or visit our website at www.CraigHorn.com. We will respond promptly. We really want and need to hear from you.
Rep. Craig Horn
Weddington